Date: 08 December 2006 19:39

TELEPHONE TRANSACTIONS:-

When making transactions using your credit, debit or charge card over the
telephone...

1. Don't give your card number over the telephone to 'cold' callers. Only
make telephone transactions when you have instigated the call and are
familiar with the company.

2. Have the card in front of you. The retailer will ask you for information
including the card number, expiry date, the three or four digit card
security code on the signature strip, issue number where applicable, and
your name as it appears on your card.

3. NEVER give your Personal Identification Number (PIN) to anyone over the
telephone. If anyone asks you for your PIN, even if they claim they are
from the bank or the police, they are probably a fraudster.

4. Always ask the retailer to confirm the full price that is being charged
to your card, including any booking fees, delivery charges etc. Make a note
of this at the time.

5. If the retailer sends you written confirmation of the order, check the
bill to ensure that it is correct. Keep any such receipts and check them
off against your next statement.

6. Always check the statements from your bank or card issuer carefully as
soon as you receive them. Raise any discrepancies with the retailer
concerned in the first instance. Contact your card issuer if the matter is
not resolved to your satisfaction.

7. If you find any transactions on your statement that you are certain you
did not make, contact your card issuer immediately. You may be asked to
sign a disclaimer, confirming that you did not undertake the transaction.

Remember - Report lost or stolen cards, or any suspected fraud, to your
bank, building society or card protection scheme immediately.

You will find the 24-hour emergency telephone number for your bank or
building society on your last statement or by calling directory enquiries.

How to stop property being stolen from your vehicle

Remember that your vehicle is like a shop window for thieves. If you can
see any of your property left in the vehicle so can the thief. If you leave
any of the following items in your vehicle you are inviting the opportunist
criminal to steal them:

Briefcases - CDs and tapes - cheque books - coats (old and new) - credit
cards - handbags - loose change - mobile phones - shopping bags - sports
bags and equipment - wallets - cameras.

Remember, even if you know that the item left on display in your car is
worthless the opportunist thief doesn't.

Make sure that all your property is post-coded with your postcode and house
or flat number. This will help the police return it to you in the event of
it being lost or stolen. It will also provide evidence that the property is
stolen and help the police to get a conviction.

Buy a tamper proof tax disc holder. Over 160,000 tax discs are stolen every
year. You can get one from the Post Office for a couple of pounds. This
deters the thief from breaking into your car to steal your tax disc and
sell it on. It saves you repairing a broken window or door lock and also
the £7 cost of replacing the disc.

Think carefully where you leave your car keys. If a thief can steal your
car keys then they can steal your car. Keys are regularly stolen from
kitchens, hall tables, key hooks, handbags, workplaces and even from the
ignition of cars. Your keys are the same value as your car, put them out of
sight and in a safe place.

If you have expensive wheels it is worth fitting locking wheel nuts and
having your wheels etched with the registration number of your car.

John Reynolds